British singer James Arthur has scrapped a series of shows and appearances due to "acute exhaustion".

The X Factor winner has announced a week off after doctors told the star he needed to "rest for several days".

The break comes just days after the pop star found himself at the centre of a controversy following comments he made on his Twitter.com account and in a new tune about his chart rivals.

He called One Direction's Louis Tomlinson a "little b**ch" and claimed former The X Factor winner Matt Cardle made music for "bedwetters".

Last week (ends15Nov13), Arthur called up-and-coming musician Micky Worthless a "peasant" and advised him to "shoot yourself" in a diss track. He also called Worthless "an f**king queer" - a remark that was widely criticised by peers like his former X Factor colleague Lucy Spraggan, who tweeted, "People kill themselves every day because there's insults like that around".

Arthur has since apologised for the lyrics, revealing he was "disappointed in myself for being so naive". He has also ceded control of his Twitter account to his managers.

A statement released on Friday (22Nov13) reads: "James would like to apologise to his fans for any disappointment caused to them by these cancellations. He hopes to get back to full health as soon as possible."